Blog
June 29, 2016
By Marissa Davis, Project Director, NJPHK-Trenton Summer is fast approaching! This means nicer weather and more time spent outside which can be damaging to your skin. Sunburns are a serious hazard for children and adults alike. It’s important to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays whenever you’re outdoors. The Centers for Disease Control has five ways to stay safe and protect your skin from overexposure. Sunscreen – Be sure to find a lotion that it at least SPF 15 with UVA and UVB protection. No sunscreen is waterproof or sweat proof and should be reapplied after swimming or sweating. If you find yourself getting a little pink, immediately reapply. Wear protective clothing – tightly woven clothing is ideal and long pants and long sleeve shirts provide the best protection. Dry, darker colored clothes are a smart choice, too. There are even some articles of clothing that offer UV protection. […]
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June 15, 2016
World Hygiene Day is celebrated every May to spread awareness and knowledge of the importance of clean hands. Getting children to wash their hands properly is crucial to staying healthy and an important habit to instill at a young age. According to the CDC, educating kids about correct washing techniques reduces respiratory illnesses (like colds) by 21%. Washing hands three times a day can reduce the spread of illnesses and infectious diseases. In a report by the CDC, “Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives,” the CDC provides a how to guide for handwashing and informative videos that can help both children and adults learn proper handwashing techniques. SHARE:
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May 25, 2016
Obesity across the nation is still a growing epidemic and being obese at a young age has been linked to the onset of asthma in adults. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory system. According to a study in the Journal for Nurse Practitioners, both obesity and asthma are considered inflammatory diseases. Excess fatty tissues surrounding the lungs and heart can restrict deep breathing and therefore lead to asthma development. Obesity greatly increases the risk for diabetes, stroke and other diseases later in life. The good news is that there is a growing movement to address and reverse the obesity epidemic. Daily, we see posts and news reports filled with different ways to stay active and be physically healthy. There are social media sites dedicated to clean eating and simple recipes that adults and children would both enjoy. Yet many barriers remain when it comes to ensuring that […]
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May 11, 2016
By Courtney Price Project Manager, New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids-Newark It’s a sad fact that chronic stress in childhood makes children vulnerable to becoming obese adolescents and adults. A study conducted by a Cornell psychologist (and funded in part by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation) found that chronic exposure to such stressors as poverty, congested housing and family dysfunction makes it difficult for children to control their behavior and emotions. The inability to self-regulate can lead to weight gain and obesity. When I meet with teachers and parents in Newark pre-schools to talk about the importance of good nutrition and healthy eating, we discuss the dangers of consuming too much sugar in the form of candy and soda. Sugar consumption is linked to weight gain…and also to stress. How often do we grab a chocolate bar to feel a little better or calm ourselves down? It may feel good […]
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April 20, 2016
Darrin Anderson, Sr., PhD, MS State Deputy Director, New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids The absence of recess in New Jersey public schools is a disfavor to elementary school children and a major setback in promoting a healthy weight among children. Childhood obesity in our country has more than tripled in the past 30 years. Today, nearly one in four children ages 10-17 in New Jersey are overweight or obese which leads to a plethora of health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic illnesses that have been generally associated with adults. According to the National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research, healthcare costs due to childhood obesity are estimated to cost $14 billion per year. As a state, we need to encourage active play among children. Recess represents an unparalleled chance to increase physical activity, improve academic performance and foster social interaction among kids. It’s also an […]
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